Fairfax Hit and Run Charge Involving Unoccupied Property

A Hit and Run charge in Fairfax is a crime and is also known as “Failure to Report an Accident.”  An offender can be charged with a Hit and Run in Fairfax for failing to report any car accident that involved unoccupied property, occupied property, injury or death.  This post focuses on a Fairfax Hit and Run charge involving unoccupied property.

For more information on a Hit and Run charge in Fairfax involving occupied property, click here.  For more information on a Fairfax Hit and Run charge involving injury or death, click here.

Fairfax Hit and Run Charge Involving Unoccupied Property

A Fairfax Hit and Run Charge Involving Unoccupied Property is a Crime

Va. Code §46.2-896 criminalizes failure to report an accident involving unoccupied property. A driver involved in an accident in Fairfax resulting in damage to an unoccupied vehicle or unattended property is required to find the owner and report his name, address, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration number.  If the driver cannot locate the property owner, he must leave a note with his vehicle information, his contact information, and report the accident to the police within 24 hours.  Failure to report the accident will result in a Fairfax Hit and Run charge involving unoccupied property (Va. Code §46.2-896).

A passenger over 16 years old involved in a Fairfax Hit and Run can also be charged with a crime if knew the driver did not report the accident and failed to report it himself within 24 hours (Va. Code §46.2-897).

Penalties for Fairfax Hit and Run Charge Involving Unoccupied Property

A Fairfax Hit and Run charge involving unoccupied property (Va. Code §46.2-896 or Va. Code §46.2-897) is punished with jail, fines, driver’s license suspension, and automatic DMV demerit points.

• Damage Less than $250: A Fairfax Hit and Run charge involving unoccupied property resulting in less than $250 in damage is a Class 4 misdemeanor, punished with a fine up to $250.  Additionally, the DMV will add 3 demerit points to the offender’s Virginia driving record.
• Damage More than $250 but Less Than $500: A Fairfax Hit and Run charge involving unoccupied property resulting in more than $250 in damage but less than $500 in damage is a Class 1 misdemeanor.  This offense is punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, and the DMV will assess 3 demerit points to the offender’s Virginia driving record.
• Damage More than $500: A Fairfax Hit and Run charge involving unoccupied property resulting in more than $500 in damage also is a Class 1 misdemeanor.  It is punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, driver’s license suspension for up to 6 months, and 4 DMV demerit points.

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